It is hard to believe that it’s already March and time to start (or continue) planning for the next Rotary year! Hopefully, you have already identified future leadership, and your presidents-elect are planning to attend PETS/PELS this week (6-8 March) in Salina. The committee (led by our very own DGE Chuck Udell & DGE Deb Minkler, RID 5680 with assistance from Kelle Thompson) has put together a wonderful schedule full of inspiring speakers, relevant information – and most importantly, fun. I hope to see you in Salina!
Maybe you are not a PE but are still interested in supporting Rotary. We have just the event for you, as well (though we welcome PEs, too)! Make plans to join us in Lawrence on March 29th for our annual Gathering for Good Foundation Banquet (Back to the Fifties with District 5710). As always, it promises to be a great evening of fellowship and fundraising for the best cause. Please plan to attend and bring a friend or two. Beyond district-level events, I know many clubs are hosting their annual fundraisers in the coming month as well, and I would encourage you to support them as well – be it the shrimp fest & bingo, Irish stew dinner or the Kentucky Derby party.
I am also delighted to say that we have started our district 5710 podcasts again with the help of Rotarian Dave Lewis out of our Manhattan Rotary Club. I hope that you can take about 25 minutes out of your busy schedules to listen to the link on Spotify or Apple.
And, of course, we would appreciate membership sharing our podcast (Rotary Talk 5710) with all of your friends and family members.
Towards the end of May, we will also have a district family night at the Monarchs Ball Park (near the Legends); more details regarding this event will follow via Club Runner email soon.
As you can see, there is a full Rotary calendar in the months ahead, especially with individual club events. We will also be having a couple of Rotary Leadership Training sessions soon led by our superb district trainers, DeEtte Lombard and Ellen Bogdan; the first will be the weekend of 4 April (zoom Friday evening, followed by a full day of leadership learning on Saturday at our host club, the Rotary Club of Topeka (specific location TBA)). Stay tuned for additional information from DeEtte and Ellen regarding these sessions.
In addition, our Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) session will be here before you know it (8-12 June) and our deadline for receipt of applications and payment is 30 April 2025. All RYLA information (application, brochure, and information sheet) has been sent out via Club Runner and may also be found on our district website under the Youth tab. I hope that your quest to find delegates at your local high schools is going well (with your help, we are hoping to have at least sixty delegates this year).
Last but certainly not least…please don’t forget to share your great speakers, subject matter, and their contact information with me for our Speaker Bureau which will be posted on our district website.
I love hearing from clubs across the district about things that are working well for them and welcome your thoughts on club operations, membership, public image, and events you might be hosting.
As always, I am incredibly grateful to serve as your District Governor; please do not ever hesitate to reach out to me anytime…take good care!
POLIO PLUS SOCIETY MEMBERS IN DISTRICT 5710 ARE DEDICATED TO ENDING POLIO
With the news that there have now been 4 confirmed cases of the Wild Polio Virus in the two endemic countries of Afghanistan (1 case) and Pakistan (3 cases} it is vitally important to find the missed children among the migrant and highly mobile populations along the two country’s common border and deliver the “Two Drops”. It is critical that Rotary continue to support the extraordinary efforts and emergency operational measures needed.
An important contribution to this continued support is the dedicated annual funding pledge by the many members of our District 5710 Polio Plus Society. As a reminder, Membership in the Society entails a pledge to donate $100, or more, to the Rotary Foundation’s Polio Fund each year until the fight to eradicate this dreadful disease is successfully accomplished. As more and more 5710 Rotarians are recognizing how easy it is that by becoming a Polio Plus Society member for as little as $10 / month made as a Rotary Direct donation, they can be part of keeping 100 children safe from ever being paralyzed. We also understand there are a number of Paul Harris Society (PHS) members in the District who are directing their total annual $1000 donation to this urgent need. So, if you are a PHS member, please consider that direction in this year that has the potential for seeing the last case of the Wild Polio Virus.
If your club’s incoming President Elect will be at PETS/PELS in Salina March 6 – 8, you will hear an important reminder for your club to begin its budgetary planning for the Rotary 2025-26 year by including Polio Plus as a high priority. With every Rotarian’s help, “TOGETHER, WE END POLIO”!
Feel free to email, call or text your District 5710 Polio Plus Co-Chairs if you have any questions, need to schedule a status presentation for your club or want fundraising ideas.
The purpose of the Paul Harris Society is to identify, engage, and thank members who have the ability and desire to make substantial annual gifts to help communities close to home and around the world. A PHS member contributes at least $1,000 annually to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund or approved global grants. Since July 1, 2024, 15 Rotarians have made the commitment and four were just last month!
4. Complete the form on the District 5710 website HERE.
5. Email Jennifer Berquist, the district coordinator, at jkberquist@gmail.com and she will email or mail you the form (whichever is your preference).
ROTARY DIRECT
Whether you donate to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) monthly, quarterly, or annually, we highly recommend using Rotary Direct. It is simple to initiate, and you do not have to think about it again, unless you need to update your payment information.
You may use Rotary Direct for Annual Fund-SHARE, PolioPlus, World Fund or Disaster Relief, in addition to the seven areas of focus. Something to note – contributing to the areas of focus does not generate District Designated Funds (DDF).
Please consider setting up Rotary Direct at $84/month and you will achieve a Paul Harris Fellow award annually. Here is the Rotary Direct link for your convenience: https://my.rotary.org/en/rotary-direct.
The Million Dollar Challenge for District 5710 is fully engaged now. We have confirmed gifts from 14 District Rotarians totaling nearly $300,000!!
Our District Governor and incoming DGs have set the bar high for the district to raise $1 Million for the Rotary Endowment Fund. This is in support of Rotary International’s goal to exceed $2,025,000,000 in the endowment by the end of 2025! We can do it.
In addition to the 14 gifts already made, we are aware of three additional major donors who are considering endowment giving. If you would like to be part of the campaign team as an “asker,” as a donor, or both, I would love to hear from you. We still need askers in most clubs. The actual work includes one Zoom/telephone meeting a month, and then talking to your club members about any possible support they would consider for the endowment effort. We have several district Rotarians who would love to come speak to your club about how important the endowment is and how you can participate in the Million Dollar Challenge!
There are great income producing and/or income tax savings techniques for Rotary gifting. Charitable Remainder Trusts, Charitable Gift Annuities, charitable distributions from an IRA, life insurance, and gifting of appreciated stocks or art or real estate all can work to your benefit, if you have a heart for the cause.
Rotary International professionals Eric Thompson (219-712-4852) or Lizzy King (847-866-3017 orElizabeth.King@rotary.org) are eager to visit with anyone about making a major gift or funding the Rotary endowment. Me too.
I want to speak to your club about endowment and major gifts and the Million Dollar Challenge. Call me at 785-267-8782 (daytime work) or raeschliman@corefirstbank.com(same) to connect and get energized about the Rotary International Foundation.
You can never start planning too early. If your club is considering applying for District Grant funds in 2025 for a club local project, please mark your calendars for the annual District Grants Training that is scheduled for Monday, April 21, 2025 at 6:00pm via Zoom. Interested in attending? Please click here to register for this Zoom meeting.
A basic requirement to be eligible to apply for a District Grant is that each club must have at least one club member who has attended a District Grants Training/Certification Seminar within the last three years prior to the application date, which will be August 31, 2025.
For additional information or questions, please contact Greg Shondell, District 5710 Grants Subcommittee Chair, greg@HeathwoodOil.com.
Our PETS/PELS 2025 curriculum design project is complete! We look forward to collaborating with Presidents-Elect and others at PETS/PELS in Salina 6-8 March during our scheduled facilitated learning sessions-as well as during social hour opportunities. See you in Salina!
RLI
We have an RLI (Rotary Learning Institute) scheduled for 4-5 April 25 hosted by the Rotary Club of Topeka. More details to follow! Remember to let us know if your club is interested in hosting (providing a conference room/site and access to lunch) for an RLI (Rotary Learning Institute).
The hybrid design includes: A Friday Zoom mtg from 5:30-8:30 PM, and an in-person session on Saturday from approximately 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
KLC 2025
As we mentioned last month, Districts 5710 and 5680 will share the 50 Kansas Leadership Center scholarships for 2025. Attached below you will find the descriptions of the KLC program sequence of courses and the virtual and in person options and dates. To register for a class, follow the instructions using the link and passcode on the attached pages below.
2025 District 5710 Leadership Transformation Grants
District 5710 and 5680 have each been awarded 25 grants to participate in the programs of the Kansas Leadership Center. The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is a non-profit organization committed to fostering leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous Kansas communities.
The KLC offers three programs that build on each other:
•When Everyone Leadsis the introductory one-day program that focuses on personal leadership competencies. It focuses on leadership as an activity – recognizing that every individual has the capacity to lead. It helps participants stretch and grow their leadership while addressing their toughest challenges.
•Your Leadership Edgeis the seminal, two-day deep dive into individual leadership for those who have completed When Everyone Leads. It focuses on helping leaders understand how to move out of their comfort zone and engage in meaningful leadership. It centers on the KLC’s leadership framework based on Five Guiding Principles and Four Profound Competencies.
•Lead For Changeis reserved for teams who have already completed the other two KLC courses. It is an immersive, three-day training that must be experienced in a team.
Who Should Attend?
Each club should consider sending up and coming leaders from their club and community. The virtual sessions are an ideal option. Leaders who have done the first program should consider the second program.
How To Register To Sign Up for When Everyone Leads or Your Leadership Edge, we ask that you do two things:
1.Visit the KLC website at: www.kansasleadershipcenter.org. Create a personal account and register using the passcode Rotary2025 to waive the tuition fee.
2.Notify District Learning Facilitators, of your interest in order that we might track Rotarians who are taking advantage of this grant. * If you have a team to enroll in Lead For Change, please contact us before doing so.
On February 15th, our district proudly held the first “Outbound Orientation” for the high school students preparing to embark on their exchange programs in Fall 2025. This event was designed to equip both students and their parents with the knowledge and tools to navigate the exciting journey ahead. Through various informative sessions, our dedicated team addressed potential scenarios and challenges, ensuring everyone felt prepared for the year to come.
As we prepare, we are also looking ahead to the arrival of students from Denmark, France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Norway. We invite our clubs to join us in making this experience memorable by becoming host clubs and families. Your involvement is crucial in providing these students with a warm and welcoming environment as they immerse themselves in our culture.
Our district team is here to support any club that wishes to get involved. Together, we can create lasting connections and enrich the lives of both our local community and our international guests. If you're interested in hosting, please reach out—we’d love to help you make this wonderful opportunity a reality!
For any questions, please reach out to Anne Faucett, District Outbound Coordinator, at annefaucett33@gmail.com or Stephen Wheatley, District 5710 Youth Exchange Officer, at rotary5710ye@gmail.com. Additional information is available at SCRYE.org.
RYE goes to Mexico!
Recently, Anne Faucett and Stephen Wheatley attended the NAYEN (North American Youth Exchange Network-USA, Canada, and Mexico). In Merida, Mexico, over 400 Rotarians from all over the globe gathered to network and set up new opportunities for outbound RYE students.
Anne represented our district with her 5710 bling she received from DG Tamara!
We are, now, less than one month away from our Gathering For Good Foundation event on March 29th! We are going Back to the 50s. We will have a 50s themed night with a DJ playing 50s music that will take you back to the days of sock hops, poodle skirts, greasers, James Dean, and the unforgettable Elvis! It is not required to dress up. However, we encourage you to dress in your favorite 50s attire if you so wish. We will have an 50s themed trivia challenge created by DG Tamara, 50s themed props, and a 50s themed backdrop for all of your fun photos. As before, there will be a silent and live auction with our auctioneer extraordinaire, Charlie Moon, calling our live auction once again. The Gathering For Good will be held, once again, at Doubletree by Hilton in Lawrence. This event, as before, will be a very fun filled night with all of the funds raised going to The Rotary Foundation Annual fund in the name of the person purchasing any item that is available. Mandy Sheldon is currently receiving club baskets and other assorted items for our silent auction. If you have an idea for a silent or live auction item, please contact me (fbarr@t-mfinancial.com) or Mandy Sheldon (rotary5710exec@gmail.com). We can discuss where your item or auction package can be placed. Last year, we raised over $26,000 in one night and had a wonderful time! I hope you can join us and help us raise even more this year.
Attending our Gathering For Good event this year will be Andrew Cary who is our Annual Giving Officer with RI. He plans to visit a few clubs in Kansas while he is here and enjoy the evening with us that Saturday night.
Any of us in the District Foundation committee would be happy to speak with you or present to your club on several Foundation topics, including Endowment/Major Gifts, Global Scholars, Global grants, District grants, Paul Harris Society, Polio Plus, and Million Dollar Challenge. I encourage you to reach out to us if you would like us to present to you.
As of March 2nd, we have, as a district, given 58% of what we contributed last year to TRF Annual fund and 50% to Polio Plus. With 4 months left in our Rotary year, we still have time to match or exceed our numbers from last year. Your District Foundation committee is dedicated to helping our members with various ways of contributing to TRF and with various ideas for projects that can benefit from those funds.
The impact of all your TRF contributions is truly amazing and is enhancing lives in our communities and the world! Thank you for all of your efforts so far! Let’s continue the momentum and finish this year better than the last!
In early February, District Governor Tamara Sevcik caught up with Karla Jordan, District 5710 Rotary Peace Fellow studying at Bahçesehir University in Istanbul Türkiye. The first 90 days of the certificate program are intense, which began in country on February 10. Watch the district newsletter for more about Karla’s journey as the year progresses. Below are two pictures Karla shared with District Governor Tamara.
The Rotary Foundation is now accepting applications for 2026 Rotary Peace Fellowships! Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for peacebuilders from communities around the world to study at one of its global peace centers located at premier universities — including thenewest peace centerin Istanbul. Fellows earn a master’s degree or a postgraduate certificate in disciplines related to peace and development, providing them with advanced skills, knowledge, and networks to become effective catalysts for peace.
Do you know someone who might be a great Rotary Peace Fellowship candidate? Include their name and email in areferral form to receive more information.
More than 1,800 peace fellows have been trained at Rotary Peace Centers since 2002 and are working in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and development roles in more than 140 countries. Follow theRotary Peace Centers Facebook pageto share posts and help spread the word.
As you may be aware, Senator Brenda Dietrich, in collaboration with the Shawnee County DA’s office, the Attorney General’s Office, and Rotary Clubs across Kansas, proposed legislation in the Senate to increase the penalty for purchasing sex from a class A misdemeanor to a level 9 Felony. It will take the minimum fine from $1,200 to $2,000 and the maximum fine from $5,000 to $10,000, and require a Diversion Agreement (AKA “John School”).
A hearing was held Wednesday, January 29 by the Judiciary Committee to hear testimony, and after consideration, the committee voted unanimously to move the bill (SB71) to the full Senate for consideration. Last week the Senate approved the bill unanimously (!) and sent it to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration by the full House.
On Monday, March 3rd the House Judiciary Committee will hear testimony from interested parties about the bill. The diversified group of supporters (including District 5710 Rotarians, other service organizations, and survivor support entities) that presented at the Senate Judiciary Committee will do the same on March 3 at 3 PM in the State Capitol. We hope the House Judiciary Committee will advance SB71 to the full House and they will pass it into law. We encourage you to contact your representatives and ask them to pass SB71. We want to emphasize that this is a human rights and public health issue - not a political issue. Ending sex trafficking benefits all of us.
The QR code at right will share contact information for our state legislators. Following is suggested language you may use in your email:
“Dear Representative ______ . I am asking you to vote for this bill. This bill is a huge step in the right direction in holding sex buyers accountable. With the approval of this bill, the demand for sex buying will decrease, meaning the number of lives saved will increase. This bill matters, and is so important to Kansans.”
District 5710 funds a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship every two years. We started the process last fall to identify and interview scholarship candidates.
The District interviews were held in Lawrence, KS, on Saturday February 8th. The District 5710 Global Grant Selection Committee interviewed four excellent scholarship candidates. We selected one scholarship winner and one alternate.
Currently, we are finalizing the scholarship application of the winner and will be submitting it to RI soon. RI will most probably approve the candidate’s application and we’ll then move forward to put the application into the RI computer system. At the same time, we’ll contact a Rotary Club where the student will study and ask the club to be the host sponsor for our student. Once RI approves the scholar’s application, we will announce the winner’s name.
I want to thank those Rotarians who identified and selected the great candidates to interview for our 2025-2027 Global Grant Scholarship.
I also want to thank the District 5710 Global Grant Scholarship Committee which consists of the following members: Courtney Brooks, KCK Rotary Club; Jim Evers, Lawrence Central Rotary Club; Ryan Klataske, Manhattan Rotary Club; Laurie McCormack, Overland Park Rotary Club; Tamara Sevcik, Leavenworth Rotary Club; Ron Slepitza, Leawood Rotary Club; Joan Underwood, Topeka Rotary Club; and Steven Graham.
Our current District 5710 Global Grant Scholar, Mattie Vandel, who worked on a unique Global Studies master’s program through Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany, finished her dissertation and submitted her final report to RI. Mattie is now looking for a job.
Thanks to District 5710 leadership for funding the Global Grant Scholarship program. It is always exciting to have an excellent scholar studying abroad and representing District 5710.
In January, the Rotary Against Human Trafficking Foundation was awarded over $60,000 through the Kansas Fights Addiction grant program. The Foundation, administered through the Rotary Club of Community Action Against Human Trafficking (CAAHT), will use the funds to expand an existing Rotary initiative within the Shawnee County Adult Detention Center called Intersection to Care (ITC).
The KFA grant will enable Rotary to expand its housing assistance program, providing critical support to women who have experienced substance misuse and are participating in recovery programs within the jail system.
“This funding will allow Rotary to not only strengthen the resources available to these women but also to extend the program to include male participants. By offering stable housing options, the initiative aims to reduce the risk of relapse, improve recovery outcomes, and help individuals transition back into society with greater stability and support,” explained Patti Mellard, founder and current Treasurer of CAAHT. The expansion of this program demonstrates Rotary’s commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by both women and men leaving incarceration, providing them with the tools they need to rebuild their lives.
Proving safe, sober housing for justice involved individuals is part of the CAAHT Rotary Club’s goal to reduce an individual’s risk of being exploited and trafficked. “Our experience has been that when the individual does not have a safe, sober place to live when released, they choose the trafficker waiting in the parking lot. We need to break that cycle and give them another choice by providing sober living assistance,” said Mellard.
The Rotary Club of Community Action Against Human Trafficking is a community of Rotary members committed to ending human trafficking, supporting those experiencing trafficking, and providing opportunities for members to learn more and take action. Intersection to Care, a program of CAAHT, attempts to disrupt the desperate life circumstances that can lead to involvement in trafficking for those discharging from incarceration. For more information, visit https://rccaaht.org/.
While in Mykolaiv, I was able to meet up with a member of the Mykolaiv Rotary Club. I had tried to meet with the club president for Mykolaiv but he was overseas. Only a few of the Rotarians spoke English so I was then referred to Rotary club member who spoke English. I discussed this with my Global Care Force team leader and I could tell that he was a little nervous. I had known that Mykolaiv was in a Russian speaking part of the Ukraine but I was unaware of the many Russian agents who had previously operated in area. My team leader was worried that my contact may have been with one of those Russian agents. We went cautiously to Artem’s place of work after we returned from seeing clinic in the villages. Once we could see inside the building, it was apparent from the brightly lit interior, the Ukrainian flags and uniforms that this was a Ukrainian establishment.
Artem is an past club president and speaks excellent English. We discussed potential projects for collaboration with other Rotary clubs and districts. Mykolaiv was partially surrounded during the initial Russian advance in February and March 2022. The Russians were driven back by the Ukrainians after 1-2 months of intense combat before the positions stabilized. That short period of occupation and the ongoing nearby combat created many needs, some which could be addressed by Rotary. Interestingly, Artem works for the Mykolaiv Business Support Center which seems to be a combination of a Chamber of Commerce and full time paid Rotary club. His work involves helping facilitating businesses in the Mykolaiv oblast including any project that helps businesses run and people work. His projects include setting up daycare so that people can have their children cared for so that they could go to work, programs that educate women to do jobs that were left vacant when men were mobilized, projects that facilitated companies to provide water to families affected when the Russians blew up the main water line into the city and many others.
A common feature of the Russian invasion is that they destroyed Ukrainian health centers and hospitals whenever they could. They bombed hospitals, burned medical equipment, destroyed medical supplies and killed or drove away medical workers. Healthcare is a prime need of the area and Artem has since coordinated global grants to replace some of the medical equipment that had been destroyed. Since I had already written a Rotary Foundation Global Grant for medical equipment for Uganda, we agreed that I could write another global grant for medical equipment for one of the hospitals in the Mykolaiv region. Artem will collect the information on the local hospital’s greatest needs and we will use that package to develop a comprehensive needs assessment to formulate Global Grant request for the Rotary Foundation.
I can’t say that I am surprised, but even in wartime, Rotary is there to help.
On Saturday, May 3rd the Bonner Springs Rotary Club will hold our annual Kentucky Derby Party fundraiser for Vaughn-Trent Community Services--dinner and drinks at the fascinating Fuel House in Bonner Springs, a Derby race raffle, mouse races, a silent auction, and a wine pull. Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 6th. Would you please share this information with your members?
Discovering the power of Braille and Celebrating Black History Month!
On January 28, the Kansas City, Kansas Rotary Club hosted an enlightening presentation by Christian Puett, a certified Teacher of Students with a Visual Impairment (TSVI) at the Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB). Program chairs Linda Hoskins Sutton and Karen Hostetler organized the event, where Puett shared his expertise on Braille and its critical role in the education and development of the students he serves. Braille literacy is not just about reading - it’s about access, empowerment, and meaningful participation in all aspects of life. Christian emphasized that Braille literacy is foundational for individuals who are blind or have low vision, enhancing not only their reading and writing skills but also fostering cognitive development, social-emotional growth, and greater independence.
The Kansas State School for the Blind, located in Kansas City, Kansas, offers a comprehensive range of services to support students with visual impairments. These services include early education programs focusing on Braille readiness, communication, orientation and mobility, and social skills development. Additionally, KSSB provides resources such as the Kansas Instructional Resource Center (KIRC), which supplies Braille and large print textbooks, educational aids, and adaptive equipment to ensure students have equitable access to educational materials.
KCK Rotary Club President Jay Dunlap strongly encourages other clubs to consider Christian and KSSB for an excellent and insightful presentation!
Following the program on Braille, as well as some other great January programs, KCK Rotary celebrated Black History Month with a thoughtful collection of February programs, scheduled by KCK Rotarian and District Attorney Mark Dupree. The month began with a visit from a familiar face, Shanelle Dupree, Executive Director and co-founder of the Racial Equity Collaborative, as we as DA Dupree’s wife. Ms. Dupree spoke about equity in the child welfare space and her work identifying and eliminating racial disparities in systems, including the child welfare system.
Changing to a development focus, the Club next hosted Erik Murray, founder and CEO of Eastside Innovations, a real estate development concern. Mr. Murray grew up in KCK and is now working on the redevelopment of a large parcel of vacant property into Midtown Station, a mixed used and community-centric development with a goal of revitalizing the midtown KCK area. Although the bitter cold winter weather required a pivot to an online meeting, KCK Rotary continued its February meetings by welcoming Dr. Desmond Lamb, Executive Director of Friends of Yates. Among other programs, Friends of Yates operates the only domestic violence shelter in Wyandotte County, which unfortunately has recently been at 98% capacity. Closing out the month, Merle Bowers, the Resource Family Recruiter from Cornerstones of Care, shared the extreme need for foster parents in the State of Kansas.
KCK Rotary is now looking forward to spring weather and some more great programs in March!
Recently a club donation of $1000.00 to One Love Medical Mission was made in support of our international efforts. Pictured here are volunteers who worked in Jamaica last month (left to right, Rick Hansen, Dr. Larry Evans, Suzie Jensen, Gayle Woods, Shari Hansen & Larry Martin) and club president, Tiffany Andrews. An anonymous Rotarian donor matches our club donation every year for a total of $2000.00.
Congratulations are in order for our newest Paul Harris Fellow, Gayle Woods; she is pictured here with her spouse, Rotarian (Dr.) Larry Evans, left, and club President, Tiffany Andrews, right; Gayle was recognized for her continued support of the One Love Medical Mission.
Supporting the Lansing Library (and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library) with our annual $500 donation. Pictured here are club President Tiffany Andrews (left) and Lansing Library Director, Terri Wojtalewicz (right). Our Sergeant at Arms, Karel Sigtenhorst, standing, and his assistant, Dave Maggard, work hard to ensure our meeting runs smoothly every week.
We celebrated Valentine’s Day with several games of Cupid bingo this month. The weather kept many Rotarians away, but a good time was had by all who attended - indeed a fun social event hosted by President Tiffany! High school (senior) student visitors from Pleasant Ridge adorned in their Chiefs gear shared their high school experiences with our club and talked about their future plans; they are pictured here with President Tiffany and Past President & Treasurer, Tony Kramer.
Upcoming for the Rotary Club of Leavenworth: Irish Stew Dinner - Monday, 10 March (we’d love to see you for some fun, delicious food and fellowship)
Nonperishable Food Drive (spring) Over-the-Counter Medicine Drive (3 May 2025) Meals on Wheels Delivery (ongoing twice a week)
With the most snow in 100 years and temperatures below zero, the Manhattan Rotary Club was fortunate to have reasonably warm Thursdays for meetings. This month, President Randy recognized past district governor Vern Henricks, recipient of the Clyde Jones Volunteer of the Year award. He also celebrated February Rotary anniversaries for Paul Bullock (52 years), Tom Arthur (44 years) and himself (43 years). Liz Nelson awarded a PHF+2 to President-elect Chris Culbertson. We hosted Ken Selzer, Leawood Club, to share information on the District Million Dollar Campaign for the Rotary endowment.
The Community Cares Chest was open twice during this frigid month. About twenty nonprofits retrieved beverages (diet, regular, smoothies, and water), books, a few Amazon returns and more.
This month, Kathleen Hoss-Cruz spoke about the Guatemala International Service Learning Project where the club will support one to two students for volunteer service from a district grant. We ended the month with a presentation from Rotarian and Poet Lariat, Ron Wilson, sharing cowboy poetry along with a history of the American west.
February continued to have some cold days, but the warm hearts of our club members showed great kindness as we served our community. February Cup Collection was for Laundry Love.
Michelle Sink (Big Brothers Big Sisters), Di Hinrichs (Pawnee Mental Health), Jeremy Harmon (Center of Hope Ministry), and Kirk Crabtree (Habitat for Humanity) attended the Manhattan Community Fair to connect with community members about our Konza Rotary Club. This group is wonderful about welcoming others to join our efforts. (right)
Di Hinrichs, John Conley, and Ben Kohl welcomed Morgan Bates as a new member on February 14. Ben Kohl, John Poulson, Erine Porter, and some Manhattan High School Interact ladies volunteered their time to serve meals at Common Table on our designated fourth Tuesday of the month. Their efforts helped provide delicious meals and a welcoming atmosphere for those in need, demonstrating the power of community support and generosity. Several Konza Club members attended the Young Professionals of Manhattan Hype Happy Hour to support community non-profit organizations.
Friday morning speakers included:
Stephanie Peterson, Director of Community Development for Manhattan, provided updates about the Manhattan community, highlighting ongoing projects that enhance our quality of life as residents.
Debbie Nuss, Director of Flint Hills Wellness Coalition, talked about the Flint Hills Community Care Team and the work the 32 agencies do together to help individuals in our community with various needs. The outcome of their work results in fewer calls to emergency agencies, therefore saving taxpayers money.
Lisa Isaacson, Executive Director of Flint Hills Community Accelerator/Childcare Business Accelerator, provided an insightful overview of the Manhattan Child Care Initiative, highlighting its goals and impact on our local community. She discussed the ongoing efforts to increase access to quality childcare, support childcare providers, and address the growing demand for early childhood education in Manhattan.
Club member Joan Pierce introduced Ken Selzer, incoming District 5710 Endowment Fund Chair from Leawood. Ken talked about the Million Dollar Endowment Fund Challenge. Riley County Police Department Captain Mark French talked about the RCPD corrections facility.
March will be a busy month for the members of the Konza Rotary Club.
We will begin the month with a New Member Orientation event.
Our President-elect, Di Hinrichs, and our next President-elect, Mark Rose, will attend District 5710 PELS in Salina.
We are selecting 3 Manhattan High School Seniors to receive $1,500 college scholarships and are encouraging friends, family, and community members to have MHS Seniors apply by Friday, April 11.
One of our members, Memory Buffington, is traveling to Guatemala with other District 5710 Rotarians to participate in the Guatemala Service Project.
We are helping to judge and serve concessions at the Manhattan High School Forensics Tournament.
We are helping to serve meals to people in our community who are food insecure at Common Table.
Several of us are attending Gathering for Good in Lawrence.
We will have 2 guest presenters in March.
Rachelle Banwart, Kansas State University Director of Corporate Economic Development, will talk about the university’s role in local and state-wide economic development.
Danielle Dulin, new Manhattan City Manager, will talk about her career journey and provide updates about the City of Manhattan.
The beginning of February kicked off with a Happy Hour at the Brass Onion. It was a great event with our newly combined club members! A speaker highlight for February was hearing from Johnson County Manager Penny Postoak Ferguson. It was a well-attended meeting, and Penny answered many questions about the state of Johnson County.
On Feb. 20, several members volunteered at Heart to Heart, completing 600 Hygiene kits to be sent to the California fire victims.
The club also welcomed two new members: Austin Deming and Mason Kelemen.
untry’s common border and deliver the “Two Drops”. It is critical that Rotary continue to support the extraordinary efforts and emergency operational measures needed. 
Wild Poliovirus Weekly Update
The Rotary Foundation is now accepting applications for 2026 Rotary Peace Fellowships! Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for peacebuilders from communities around the world to study at one of its global peace centers located at premier universities — including the
In January, the Rotary Against Human Trafficking Foundation was awarded over $60,000 through the Kansas Fights Addiction grant program. The Foundation, administered through the Rotary Club of Community Action Against Human Trafficking (CAAHT), will use the funds to expand an existing Rotary initiative within the Shawnee County Adult Detention Center called Intersection to Care (ITC). 
While in Mykolaiv, I was able to meet up with a member of the Mykolaiv Rotary Club. I had tried to meet with the club president for Mykolaiv but he was overseas. Only a few of the Rotarians spoke English so I was then referred to Rotary club member who spoke English. I discussed this with my Global Care Force team leader and I could tell that he was a little nervous. I had known that Mykolaiv was in a Russian speaking part of the Ukraine but I was unaware of the many Russian agents who had previously operated in area. My team leader was worried that my contact may have been with one of those Russian agents. We went cautiously to Artem’s place of work after we returned from seeing clinic in the villages. Once we could see inside the building, it was apparent from the brightly lit interior, the Ukrainian flags and uniforms that this was a Ukrainian establishment. 
On January 28, the Kansas City, Kansas Rotary Club hosted an enlightening presentation by Christian Puett, a certified Teacher of Students with a Visual Impairment (TSVI) at the Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB). Program chairs Linda Hoskins Sutton and Karen Hostetler organized the event, where Puett shared his expertise on Braille and its critical role in the education and development of the students he serves. Braille literacy is not just about reading - it’s about access, empowerment, and meaningful participation in all aspects of life. Christian emphasized that Braille literacy is foundational for individuals who are blind or have low vision, enhancing not only their reading and writing skills but also fostering cognitive development, social-emotional growth, and greater independence.
The Kansas State School for the Blind, located in Kansas City, Kansas, offers a comprehensive range of services to support students with visual impairments. These services include early education programs focusing on Braille readiness, communication, orientation and mobility, and social skills development. Additionally, KSSB provides resources such as the Kansas Instructional Resource Center (KIRC), which supplies Braille and large print textbooks, educational aids, and adaptive equipment to ensure students have equitable access to educational materials.
Following the program on Braille, as well as some other great January programs, KCK Rotary celebrated Black History Month with a thoughtful collection of February programs, scheduled by KCK Rotarian and District Attorney Mark Dupree. The month began with a visit from a familiar face, Shanelle Dupree, Executive Director and co-founder of the Racial Equity Collaborative, as we as DA Dupree’s wife. Ms. Dupree spoke about equity in the child welfare space and her work identifying and eliminating racial disparities in systems, including the child welfare system.
Recently a club donation of $1000.00 to One Love Medical Mission was made in support of our international efforts. Pictured here are volunteers who worked in Jamaica last month (left to right, Rick Hansen, Dr. Larry Evans, Suzie Jensen, Gayle Woods, Shari Hansen & Larry Martin) and club president, Tiffany Andrews. An anonymous Rotarian donor matches our club donation every year for a total of $2000.00.
Congratulations are in order for our newest Paul Harris Fellow, Gayle Woods; she is pictured here with her spouse, Rotarian (Dr.) Larry Evans, left, and club President, Tiffany Andrews, right; Gayle was recognized for her continued support of the One Love Medical Mission.
February continued to have some cold days, but the warm hearts of our club members showed great kindness as we served our community. February Cup Collection was for 
Friday morning speakers included:
Lisa Isaacson, Executive Director of Flint Hills Community Accelerator/Childcare Business Accelerator, provided an insightful overview of the Manhattan Child Care Initiative, highlighting its goals and impact on our local community. She discussed the ongoing efforts to increase access to quality childcare, support childcare providers, and address the growing demand for early childhood education in Manhattan.
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